July 2015 Meeting Notes

Business Meeting
July 28, 2015

Mary Ann Kurtz welcomed all on a lovely summer evening. She thanked Colleen and Evan for planning the June picnic; the potluck dishes were varied and delicious. The Demonstration Gardens at North Park were in full bloom and we all enjoyed these after the picnic.

·        Denny Brown paid $360 for our meeting room rental, same as last year.

·        Greybrooke Garden Club sent a congratulatory note for our 65^th anniversary.

·        Dues can be paid in August (preferred) rather than the usual September.

·        LAGC’s 65^th Anniversary Party September 22—Claudia Hickly arranged with the church custodian to hang the banner on the south wall. Eight foot white tablecloths are still needed; call Claudia if you have one available for use. Jenna Noker showed a sample of the bulb favors which members liked. A few members will bring cookies, but the cake is the main dessert.

Other: 

Mary Ann thanked Dorothy Schutte and Peggy Elizeus for the desserts and arrangements respectively. 

Sarah, Peggy, Linda

Dorothy

Arrangements

 

Evan

Bev Steiger’s husband is now out of Passavant and recovering at Hamarville. 

Nancy Madeoy brought an unusual cultivar of sanseveria from a Maryland botanic garden to share.

Program 

·        Mary Ann introduced Leslie Anthony, a new Penn State Master Gardener, who

   

     presented “Pollinator Friendly Gardens.”  Leslie also brought handouts** for her slide show program. Pollinators are important as 1 in 3 bites we eat have been pollinated.  Pollinators can be bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats, mice, ants, and others. Each gardener can and should protect pollinators.

Mason bee nesting tubes

Take home points:

·        Have your garden certified as a Pollinator Friendly Garden and spread the word to neighbors about the importance of providing a safe haven for pollinators.  Forms for certification and pollinator friendly garden signs are available from Penn State Cooperative Extension. 

·        Suggestions and requirements for certification:  1) Provide nectar and larval food using a variety of trees, shrubs, and natives. Plant for nectar during the months of March-October. Blueberries, Joe Pye weed, buttonbush, mint, milkweed, and perennials in the aster families are especially good. 2) Provide a birdbath with stones or a puddling area for butterfly landing. A puddling area is a moist/mud area with landing stones created especially for butterflies. 3) Provide overwinter areas, e.g., hollow tubes or stems or dead wood. 4) Protect native habitat by planting natives, removing invasive plants, and reducing pesticide use (follow labels if you do use).

·        Application for Pollinator Friendly Garden Certification has a simple checklist and suggestions for small and large gardens. (e.g., if you have a stream great, but a birdbath or shallow water area counts for water.)

References:

·        Attracting Native Pollinators by Xerces Society

·        Good Bug- Bad Bug by Jessica Walliser

·        Penn State Cooperative Extension bulletins**, “Pennsylvania Pollinator Series 3.1. Pollinator Food,” “Recognize and Conserve Natural Enemies,” “Bring Home the Natives, More Than Just Pretty Plants.”

Next meetings:

August 25 – “Benefits of Bats in the Garden” by Dan Pulhala. Dues collected.

September 22 – LAGC 65^th Anniversary Celebration (arrive at 6:45 p.m. program starts at 7 followed by reception). Wear hat and gloves if you like.

October 27 –“Shade Gardening” by Kurt Malecki

 Submitted by: Rose Mary Highman